The Press MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1962. Nassella Control

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29983, 19 November 1962, Page 10

The Press MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1962. Nassella Control

Reports presented last week at a specially-convened meeting in Christchurch indicated alarmingly how widespread is the nassella tussock pest The noxious weeds groups whose representatives attended the meeting are concerned with areas far from the bestknown sites of infestation in North Canterbury; and not much imagination is needed to visualise how damaging nassella will be to the entire farm economy of the South Island unless vigorous counter-measures succeed. Nassella seed is widely scattered by the wind; but it may be carried even further by the movement of stock, vehicles, and humans. The justifiably expensive campaign being conducted in North Canterbury and Marlborough by the nassclla tussock boards and government departments might prove futile if fresh infestations elsewhere are not checked. The Christchurch negotiations among noxious weeds groups covering a big area of Mid - Canterbury, Banks Peninsula, and other districts south of the North Canterbury Nassella Tussock Board’s boundary are intended to lead to the formulation of a uniform policy of nassella control.

This inevitably raises the question whether control, to be really effective and economic, should be by a specially-designated central organisation, or whether it will suffice to continue existing arrangements whereby county councils are empowered by statute to join in operations against nassella. Much as farmers may dislike the prospect of yet another local authority, they should remember the consequences of delaying a properly co - ordinated assault on the weed in North Canterbury. The advantages of centralised control (though not necessarily by means of another tussock board) were outlined to the Christchurch meeting by Mr A. R. Dingwall, fields superintendent of the Agriculture Department. The plainest fact of all is the urgency of the problem. A speciallyappointed board would be best placed to press for government assistance where it is warranted. It will be in everybody’s interest to agree as quickly as possible on decisive means to contain and eradicate nassella in the districts not covered now by boards. The initiative already taken towards this end must not be allowed to fail.